CM Devendra Fadnavis: New Youth Policy Must Embrace Changing Positive Mindsets to Drive Transformation

Focus on Equality, Education, Employment, and National Pride in Revised 2047 Vision

Mumbai : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emphasized the importance of including the evolving and optimistic mindset of today’s youth in the state’s revised youth policy, stating that meaningful change is possible if their changing outlook is understood and incorporated. He called for strategic planning of the updated youth policy in alignment with the vision of a developed India by 2047.

CM Fadnavis was speaking at a meeting of the committee formed to draft the revised youth policy, held at the state legislature. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister and committee chairman Dattatray Bharne, along with MLAs Amol Mitkari, Shrikant Bharatiya, Santosh Danve, Rajesh Pawar, Ashutosh Kale, Pravin Datke, Devendra Kothe, Suhas Kande, Dr. Babasaheb Deshmukh, Prakash Surve, Varun Sardesai, Rohit Patil, and Padma Shri Kranti Shah (founder of Yuva Biradari), Commissioner Sheetal Teli, and national and state-level sports awardees.

Fadnavis stressed that if the thoughts and expectations of youth are taken into account during policy formulation, the resulting framework will be truly relevant. A balanced policy is needed to ensure equal opportunities for youth from both urban and rural backgrounds, incorporating training, facilities, and welfare schemes. He also called for interdepartmental coordination, beyond just the Youth Welfare Department, to achieve these objectives.

Importantly, the Chief Minister instructed that schools, colleges, social media platforms, and representatives from the service sector must be engaged in this process and their suggestions included in the policy design.

Legislators and invited members present at the meeting also contributed their suggestions to enrich the policy.

Emphasis on Education, Employment, and Nationalism

Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Dattatray Bharne highlighted the various initiatives currently being implemented by the state government for the holistic development of youth. He said that policies will be shaped through direct dialogue with youth, after assessing the needs of those from urban, rural, and tribal areas and studying youth policies from across the country and abroad.

The upcoming revised youth policy will prioritize areas such as education, employment, entrepreneurship, intellectual and social development, startups, artificial intelligence (AI), along with fostering responsibility, patriotism, and leadership qualities. It will also include state and district-level schemes, youth training centers, youth awards, hostels, festivals, personality development programs, a youth fund, and a youth prestige index.